Colorado is initiating an operation to crack down on DUI.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol announced this week that The Heat Is On Summer BLitz DUI enforcement kicked off Thursday through June 17.
According to the media release, 67 local law enforcement agencies from June 4 to 17 for The Heat Is On Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period.
“Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers and keeping Colorado’s roads safe,” the release stated.
Last year, 317 people were arrested during the same DUI enforcement period.
This high-visibility DUI enforcement period lands in the middle of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, also known as the time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the majority of Colorado’s traffic fatalities and crashes occur.
“Summer can be an amazing time in Colorado, but it can also be an especially deadly period on our roads. Across the state, every Coloradan owes it to themselves, their family and their neighbors to drive sober,” said Chief of the Colorado State Patrol Col. Matthew C. Packard. “Before drinking, make a plan for a sober ride home.”
Impaired driving has already taken a toll on Colorado in 2026, the release stated.
From January through April, 43 lives were lost in traffic crashes involving a suspected impaired driver. While this marks a near 30% decrease from the same time period in 2025, even one life lost due to impaired driving is one too many, CDOT says.
“Any death that occurs due to impaired driving is a death that could have been prevented. Make a sober ride home a part of your summer plans to help keep everyone safe on our roadways,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.
Instead of getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol, remember these options for a sober ride home:
Call a sober friend, family member, coworker or neighbor.
Arrange a designated sober driver before heading out for a drink.
Take a rideshare, such as Uber or Lyft.
Call a cab.
Use public transportation.
Preliminary data shows that during the Memorial Day DUI enforcement period last month, there were 116 arrests made. Following the Summer Blitz enforcement period, the next DUI enforcement period will be Fourth of July weekend from July 1 to 7.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
